Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Spin the Wheel uses crypto.getRandomValues(), the cryptographically secure random number generator built directly into every modern web browser. Unlike software-only random number generators, this API draws from multiple high-entropy hardware sources: CPU timing jitter, thermal noise readings, and hardware interrupt timings — combined and processed by the operating system before reaching your browser, producing a stream of numbers that cannot be predicted or reproduced.

The result: each spin is statistically independent. Knowing the outcome of the last 10,000 spins gives an observer zero advantage in predicting the next result. This is the same class of randomness used to generate cryptographic keys and TLS session tokens — the technology securing your online banking. For a classroom name draw or a prize giveaway, that means fairness you can trust without reservation — no algorithm tricks, no predetermined outcomes.

Math.random() is a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG). It uses a deterministic algorithm — typically xorshift128+ or a similar method — to produce numbers that appear random but are computed from an internal seed value. Because the algorithm is deterministic, anyone who recovers that seed can predict every subsequent output. Security researchers have demonstrated this: V8's internal PRNG state has been reconstructed in practice, allowing future Math.random() calls to be predicted from a handful of observed values.

crypto.getRandomValues() sidesteps this entirely. It draws from a cryptographically secure source seeded with real-world entropy — hardware noise, interrupt timings, and OS-level unpredictability — that cannot be reverse-engineered from its outputs. The result is unpredictability by design, not just by appearance. That distinction matters most when something of real value is at stake — a giveaway prize, a classroom decision, a fair team selection where outcomes affect real people.

Yes. Equal probability is guaranteed at two levels. Visually: every name on the wheel is assigned an identical arc segment. With four entries, each occupies exactly 90° of the circle; with twenty entries, exactly 18° each. Segment sizes are computed mathematically so no rounding error accumulates across the full 360°.

Algorithmically: the cryptographically secure random number from crypto.getRandomValues() is mapped uniformly across all possible landing angles. Each entry receives an exactly equal share of the probability space — no weighting, no boosting, no hidden bias in favour of any particular name.

The practical result: on a five-entry wheel, each name should appear roughly 20% of the time over a large number of spins. You can verify this directly by running the built-in 10,000-spin fairness test and inspecting the distribution for yourself — the numbers will confirm equal probability every time.

This is completely normal with true randomness. Think of it like flipping a fair coin — getting heads twice in a row doesn't mean the coin is broken. Each spin is an independent event, and past results have zero influence on future outcomes. If you want to prevent repeats, use the Remove & Spin Again button after each result.

Yes. Spin the Wheel includes a built-in fairness tester that runs 10,000 simulated spins in under a second and displays the result count for every entry on the wheel. To use it: add your names, update the wheel, then open the fairness test panel and click Run. The simulator calls the same crypto.getRandomValues() function used for real spins, so the output reflects genuine statistical behaviour — not a simplified demo model.

What does a fair result look like? On a five-entry wheel running 10,000 spins, each name should land close to 2,000 times (20%). The slight variance you see — 1,987 for one name versus 2,013 for another — is completely normal; that spread is exactly what true randomness produces. A biased wheel would show one entry consistently above its expected share while others fall short.

No other free wheel spinner in the top search results offers a verifiable fairness test. This tool lets you confirm equal probability with your own data.

No. The spin physics are driven entirely by the cryptographically secure random number, not a predetermined outcome. The deceleration animation is a visual representation of where the randomness has already decided the wheel will stop — it is not manipulated to favour any segment.

No. Spin the Wheel is a fully client-side application: every name you type, every spin result, and every winner log entry exists only in your browser's memory for the duration of your session. Nothing is transmitted to a remote server — not your entries, not your spin history, not any metadata about how you use the tool.

You can verify this yourself: open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, then type names and spin the wheel. You will see zero outbound requests to spin-the-wheel.tech carrying your entry data.

When you close or refresh the tab, your list is gone permanently. The site does not use localStorage, sessionStorage, IndexedDB, or cookies to persist your names between visits. If you want to save a list, copy it to a text file on your own device. The only third-party scripts on the page are Google AdSense and Google Fonts — neither service receives your wheel entries.

Spin the Wheel is a free, browser-based random picker wheel. You type in a list of names or options, click spin, and the wheel randomly lands on a winner. No account, no download, and no hidden fees — just open the site and start spinning.

Simply type your entries into the text box on the right-hand side of the wheel, one name or option per line. Once you're happy with your list, click Update Wheel and your entries will appear as coloured segments. Then hit SPIN to get a random result.

Yes. After the wheel lands on a result, click Remove & Spin Again to eliminate that entry from the wheel and immediately spin for the next winner. This is ideal for giveaways, classroom name pickers, or any situation where you don't want the same person selected twice.

Yes — every result is logged in the Recent Winners panel below the wheel. You can see who has already been picked at a glance, and clear the log at any time with the Clear all button.

You can add as many entries as you like. The wheel automatically resizes each segment to fit all your options. For very large lists, segments become smaller but the randomness and fairness are not affected.

No. Spin the Wheel is completely free with no sign-up required. Just visit the site, add your entries, and spin. There are no paywalls, no watermarks, and no usage limits.

Yes. Spin the Wheel works on any modern browser — desktop, tablet, or smartphone — with no app download needed.